Building Belonging Locally
Across the UK, thousands of people, from toddlers taking their first steps to care home residents in their nineties, are finding joy, laughter and connection through Songs & Smiles, The Together Project’s intergenerational music sessions.
We’re a national charity with a simple mission: to bring generations together to boost wellbeing, reduce loneliness and foster stronger, happier communities. However, although our impact is national, our magic always begins locally, in the community rooms and lounges of care settings, where intergenerational friendships flourish.
Songs & Smiles at Appleby Blue Almshouse
Connection starts close to home
Every week, little ones, their grownups and residents come together to sing, clap, and make genuine human connections. It’s not just about the songs – it’s about belonging.
For parents and guardians, Songs & Smiles offers a welcoming space where little ones can develop confidence and empathy while grown-ups find support and community. For residents, it’s a chance to feel part of everyday life again, to be surrounded by laughter, movement, and the energy that fills the room.
These small, joyful moments ripple outward. Residents tell us they feel “brighter for days afterward.” Parents describe their children “chatting about their new older friends on the way home.” And care staff often say they see “a different side” of residents during the sessions, more smiles, more activity, more life.
“It makes me smile seeing the youngsters, their energy makes me happy. Some visitors are regulars and we have become pals with lots of them.” Care home Resident.
Songs & Smiles at Jenni’s House
Local roots, national reach
The Together Project runs Songs & Smiles sessions from London to Leeds, Waltham Forest to West Yorkshire. Each one reflects its local community, shaped by the care setting, the families who attend, and the group leaders who bring it all to life.
Our national infrastructure allows us to replicate what works, while tailoring each session to local needs. We work closely with care homes, local authorities, housing providers and funders to ensure every community can experience the benefits of intergenerational connection.
Whether it’s a session in a small village in Slaithwaite or a city care home in Manchester, the goal is the same: to reduce loneliness, improve wellbeing and strengthen community ties.
This approach aligns with national priorities such as the Levelling Up and Healthy Ageing agendas, recognising that real change happens when people connect locally.
Real connections
A national network of togetherness
Each new setting becomes part of a growing intergenerational movement. We’re already seeing the difference across the country:
Older adults report feeling less lonely and more valued.
Children develop empathy, confidence and communication skills.
Parents and carers find community and a sense of belonging.
Care staff notice improved wellbeing and engagement among residents.
And behind the scenes, local councils, housing associations and corporate partners are discovering how intergenerational connection supports their own goals, from health and wellbeing outcomes to community cohesion and social value delivery.
Why it matters now
Loneliness is one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, costing the UK economy an estimated £2.5 billion each year. But the solution isn’t just about services, it’s about relationships.
By creating simple, structured opportunities for people of all ages to come together, Songs & Smiles offers a proven, joyful, and scalable model that complements national health and social care priorities.
In every care home we sing in, we’re helping to build a more connected, age-friendly Britain, one smile at a time.
Join the movement
We’re growing our network of Songs & Smiles sessions across the country and we’d love more communities to get involved.
If you’re a/know of a care home, local authority, housing association, or funder interested in bringing intergenerational joy to your area, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit our Songs & Smiles page or email songs@thetogetherproject.co.uk to find out more.
Because when generations come together, everyone benefits.